NBA Summer League Day 1: Warriors wrap up Day 1 with a win

Review-Journal staff report live from the first day of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Review-Journal staff

July 6, 2018 - 1:49 pm

Updated July 7, 2018 - 12:39 am

Golden State Warriors' Abudushalamu Abudurexiti, left, celebrates with teammates during the second half of the team's NBA summer league basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, July 6, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The court for the 2018 NBA Summer League basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 5, 2018. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Review-Journal staff report live from the first day of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Here’s what’s been going on:

No. 1 overall pick from this year’s draft, Deandre Ayton, was relatively quiet in his NBA debut. But his Phoenix Suns teammates came through in a 92-85 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Ayton finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, one of five Suns in double figures. Davon Reed led Phoenix with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting that included 4 of 5 from 3-point range.

The Centennial graduate and 2018 first-round pick made his professional debut, er, summer league debut with the Washington Wizards on Friday night before a supportive hometown crowd that cheered his every move.

Brown finished with 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting, along with with four rebounds and five turnovers while running the point in a 72-59 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was proud of the way he attacked the basket — and he attacked, alright.

But he lamented the turnovers and the loss.

“It was up and down. I didn’t feel like I had a terrible performance,” Brown said. “It was one of those things, first game, where I’m not really worried about it. Just got to move on.”

Brown is the second Las Vegas native drafted in as many years. Bishop Gorman graduate Zach Collins was selected in the first round last season, and is playing with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The two are the future of professional basketball in Las Vegas.

Brown is well aware of the implications.

“Being a hometown kid, playing at UNLV is huge for me,” Brown said. “Sports aren’t really the focal point of Las Vegas, Nevada. For everybody that came out and supported today, I really appreciate it. That means a lot to me. … Hopefully we can keep building on that.”

— Sam Gordon

6:52 — Cuban provides update on Luka

Luka Doncic could soon suit up for the Dallas Mavericks, according to his new boss.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is optimistic the No. 3 overall pick in last month’s draft could play in Sunday’s game against the Bucks at Cox Pavilion.

Doncic, the versatile playmaker from Slovenia, missed Friday’s opener against Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns.

“Hopefully by Sunday,” Cuban said. “We haven’t gotten his paperwork from Real Madrid, that’s what is holding us back.”

Doncic, 19, led the Spanish professional club Real Madrid to the EuroLeague championship last month and has played for them since 2015.

Dallas needs to complete a buyout with the club, get clearance from FIBA, have Doncic pass a physical and sign his NBA contract. All that seemed unlikely a few days ago, but now signs point to Doncic making his debut in Las Vegas.

Cuban and many NBA fans would be happy to see the overseas mystery player hoop stateside this summer.

“I want to see him just as bad as everybody else,” Cuban said.

— Gilbert Manzano

6:46 — John Wall in the building

Washington Wizards perennial all-star point guard John Wall is courtside watching the franchise’s summer league team play the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wall exchanged pleasantries with his former college coach, John Calipari, who is also courtside at Cox Pavilion with Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

— Sam Gordon

6:35 — Robert Williams hurt, but Celtics beat the Sixers

Boston first-round draft pick Robert Williams III banged his left knee in the first quarter and didn’t play the rest of the game, but the Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 95-89 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

That combined effort overcame the 40-points put up by Philadelphia’s Furkan Korkmaz. He made 10 of 18 shots, including 8 of 14 3-pointers.

— Mark Anderson

4:55 — Malik Monk learns Hornets signed Tony Parker

Charlotte guard Malik Monk had not heard the news that the Hornets had signed former San Antonio Spurs great Tony Parker to a reported two-year, $10 million deal. He learned live in one-on-one interview with the Review-Journal.

“I was just making a basketball play,” said House, a wing player for the Rockets. “I was just using my athletic ability and it sort of just happened.”

House wants to be more than just a dunker for the Rockets. He’s a versatile 6-foot-7-inch forward who can shoot and defend.

The Rockets have an opening with Trevor Ariza’s departure to the Phoenix Suns.

“It’s a dream to be playing for my hometown,” said House, who played at Texas A&M. “I was born and raised here and it’s a great honor to represent my family name in the great state of Texas.

“I’m going to stay hungry and do everything I can for my team.”

— Gilbert Manzano

2:26 — Bluiett shines in Pelicans win

Trevon Bluiett scored a game-high 24 points to power the Pelicans over the Raptors, 88-75 at Thomas & Mack. He was 7-for-10 from the floor and made his four free throws. Rawle Alkins and Alfonzo McKinnie led the Raptors with 12 points each.

— Justin Emerson

2:07 p.m. — Opener goes to Rockets

The opening game of the 2018 NBA Summer League went down to the wire with the Houston Rockets edging out the Indiana Pacers 92-89 at Cox Pavilion.